
Blessthefall’s “Cutthroat”: Programmed Drums & Epic Layers Unpacked
Nail The Mix Staff
Alright, let's pull back the curtain on Blessthefall's massive track "Cutthroat." If you're aiming for that polished, powerful modern metal sound, there's a ton to learn from how this track was constructed, even before legendary producer Tyler Smith got his hands on it for a Nail The Mix session. We're diving into the raw multi-tracks, as unboxed by URM Academy's Eyal Levi, to see what makes this song tick and how you can apply these techniques to your own productions.
Taming the Programmed Beast: BlessTheFall's Drum Approach
First up, the drums. And guess what? They’re programmed. Before you purists start clutching your pearls, let's get real.
Why Programmed Drums? (And Why You Need to Master Them)
In today's metal landscape, programmed drums are everywhere. Whether it's a budget constraint, a drummer's injury (it happens!), or a specific sonic choice, you will encounter them. As a mixer, your job isn't to judge; it's to make them slam. Turning away projects with programmed drums is just shooting your career in the foot. Plus, impress a band with your programmed drum mixing, and they might just bring you their next record with a real kit.
Making Programmed Drums Breathe: Samples & Room Sounds
"Cutthroat" gives us a solid foundation. We've got dedicated "Kick" and "Kick Room" tracks, and the same treatment for the snare with "Snare" and "Snare Room." This is gold. Those room tracks are your secret weapon to making programmed drums sound less like a typewriter and more like a real kit recorded in a great space.
One cool detail is the "Snare Accent" track. In parts where the snare hits and sustains, like those big, hanging moments, this accent sample (which sounds like another, slightly different pitched snare room) is layered in. Think of it like adding room samples or even subtle explosion samples to make those hits feel enormous and fill the space. You'll also find "Tom" and "Tom Room" tracks, continuing this crucial theme of using room ambience to glue the kit together.
The Feel Factor: Beyond Robotic Percussion
What’s often missing from programmed drums is feel. They can sound stiff, lifeless, and just plain robotic. But the "Cutthroat" drums have a good pocket and groove. This comes down to smart velocity programming and, again, those room sounds that help blend everything naturally. Even if you prefer to swap out samples, having well-programmed MIDI with good velocity and a solid room structure is a fantastic starting point.
Building a Solid Low End: Bass Techniques in "Cutthroat"
Next, let's talk bass. We've got two main tracks: "Bass DI" and "Bass Sub." This combo is a popular and effective way to get a powerful, controlled low end.
The DI and the Sub: A Hybrid Approach
The "Bass DI" likely captures the actual bass performance, giving you the midrange growl, pick attack, and character. The "Bass Sub," on the other hand, sounds programmed.
The Secret Weapon: Programmed Sub-Bass for Pitch Perfection
Why program the sub? Tuning. Bass strings, especially when hit hard, can be notoriously difficult to keep perfectly in tune. An out-of-tune low end is a mix killer; it makes everything built on top sound sour and weak. By programming the sub-bass notes, you guarantee a perfectly in-tune foundation. You then high-pass the performed DI track, removing its sub frequencies, and let the programmed sub handle the heavy lifting down low. This ensures your foundation is solid, allowing everything else to sit right. This is a critical area where understanding EQ strategies for mixing modern metal becomes vital. Whether the DI performance is entirely live or partially programmed, this technique of separating the sub for tuning and consistency is a pro move.
Layered Aggression: Dissecting the Guitars
Now for the guitars – and there are a lot of them! Blessthefall doesn't skimp on layers, and it's key to their huge sound.
From Clean to Crushing: A Spectrum of Tones
We see "Guitar Rhythm" (a pre-mixed stereo track, interesting!), "Guitar Heavy," "Cleans," "Bridge Clean Inverse Cleans," and various leads. This layering creates a rich tapestry of guitar textures. The rhythm and heavy tracks provide the core power, while the clean and effected layers add dynamics and atmosphere. And if you're not digging the provided tones? No problem. There are DIs for everything ("DI," "DI Intro Riff Bridge"), so you can re-amp to your heart's content using your favorite amp sims or real amps.
Creative Guitar FX: When Guitars Don't Sound Like Guitars
One of the coolest parts is the "Guitar Cut Effect." This sounds almost like a synth, showcasing how creative processing can transform a familiar instrument. It’s these kinds of unique sonic elements that can make a track stand out. Don't be afraid to experiment with extreme EQ, modulation, or time-based effects on guitar tracks to create something new.
Syncing with the Snare: Rhythmic Accents
Remember those "Snare Accent" samples? They’re often timed to fill gaps in the rhythm guitars, especially during those big, open chugs. When the guitars create a space, the accented snare punches through, creating a massive, impactful hit. This interplay between instruments is crucial for a dynamic arrangement.
The challenge with so many guitar layers is getting them to work together without becoming a muddy mess or overpowering other elements. Careful EQ, panning, and level automation are your friends here.
Synths & Atmosphere: Adding Depth and Drama
Synths play a significant role in "Cutthroat," adding another dimension to the track's soundscape.
Blending Worlds: Synths and Guitars as One
You've got a "Saw Lead," an "Evolving Choir," a "Chorus Choir," "Synth Drama," "Inter Rhythm," "Weird Drums" (likely synth-based percussion), and "Creepy Drums." What's particularly effective is how some synth parts and some heavily effected guitar parts blur the lines, making it hard to tell which is which. This creates a really interesting and cohesive sonic texture throughout the song. It’s a testament to good arrangement when different instrument families can share similar sonic spaces without clashing, keeping the listener engaged.
The Power of Swells, Drops, and Choirs
Little details like the "Synth Tyler Swell" (presumably a swell created by Tyler Smith) and various "BD" (Bass Drop) samples add punctuation and impact. The "Chorus Choir" synth, in particular, does a fantastic job of lifting the chorus, making it sound epic and beautiful. These aren't just random layers; they're carefully chosen to enhance specific sections and emotional arcs of the song.
Vocal Production: Crafting a Huge, Modern Sound
The vocals in "Cutthroat" are dynamic and demand a modern, polished treatment.
Layering for Impact: From Screams to Harmonies
There’s a wealth of vocal tracks: "Vocal Chorus Left" and "Vocal Chorus Right" for a wide chorus, "Vocal Screams" (including quadrupled screams for extra power), "Alt Vocals," "Swirlies" (likely effected vocal textures), and the "Main Verse." This layering approach is standard for achieving a huge, contemporary metal vocal sound. Different sections get different treatments, with the number of layers changing to match the song's intensity.

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Smoothing and Shining: Pop-Level Vocal Polish
A key challenge highlighted is managing volume fluctuations, especially when the vocalist jumps to higher notes. This is natural, but for a pro mix, those vocals need to be smooth and sit right out front, almost like a pop mix. This means meticulous gain automation and smart compression beyond just making it loud to control dynamics without crushing the life out of the performance. The goal is a chorus that’s not just big, but also clear, powerful, and undeniably catchy.
Bringing It All Together: The "Cutthroat" Mix Philosophy
The overarching goal for mixing a track like "Cutthroat" is clear: size, epic depth, and a chorus that absolutely slams. It’s about making those programmed drums sound as big and real as possible, ensuring the layered guitars and synths create a rich, immersive experience, and letting those powerful vocals soar.
These multi-tracks offer an incredible insight into how a modern metal anthem is constructed. By understanding these layering techniques, the thoughtful use of programmed elements, and the importance of creating space and impact, you can elevate your own productions.
Want to see exactly how Tyler Smith takes these raw tracks and sculpts them into a finished masterpiece? Check out the full Blessthefall "Cutthroat" mixing session exclusively on Nail The Mix. And if you’re ready to dive deeper into mixing modern metal and truly Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets, NTM offers unparalleled access to the techniques of a-list producers every single month.
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